Psychoanalytic Therapists in Toronto, ON

The therapeutic encounter fosters acceptance of what has, or has not happened to you in your life. It's a transformative experience that allows you to know yourself profoundly and helps you move forward in your life. I use the psychoanalytic approach, which is based on working through your internal conflicts and puzzling self-sabotaging behaviours. Using dreams, free association and working with the "here and now" of our relationship, we work together to address what prompted you to seek help.

People require help with various issues at some point of their lifes. It could be difficulty making a decision, relationship problems, dissatisfaction with career, financial warries, losses, illness, or injury. Regardless of the magnitude of the problem it is often beneficial to discuss your problem with a professional who may help you to see the issue from a different perspective and to arrive to a satisfactory solution. Some problems require numerous sessions, but sometimes even one or few sessions result in improved mood and self-confidence and help to gain insights that could lead to desired changes.

Andrew Guthrie, Ph.D., Tcpp dip., R.P. has been a psychotherapist in Toronto since 2000. He trained at Concordia and McGill Universities, the University of Toronto, the Toronto Child Psychoanalytic Program, and the Toronto Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis. He offers psychodynamic assessments and psychotherapy that reflect a deep knowledge of the psychotherapy field and a genuine commitment to the patients in his care. He treats a wide variety of emotional and behavioural problems with his professional yet compassionate approach. Please call or email for more information, or visit his website www.therapyintoronto.com.

I have extensive training in child, adolescent and adult psychoanalytic (psychodynamic) psychotherapy, with associated expertise in parent and couple therapy.

As a therapist and psychoanalytic candidate, my approach is collaborative, trauma informed and integrative. Important to my approach is the development of a therapeutic relationship that fosters acceptance, trust and compassion; providing space to attend to your concerns and attune to your aspirations. My approach also considers relationships between larger social, cultural, and historical contexts and your psychological well-being.

As a psychotherapist with a predominantly psychoanalytic orientation, I work with individuals interested in examining the hidden questions and confusions that afflict various aspects of their lives. The aim of my work is to help my patients confront the central questions of their lives in a more enriched manner by encouraging them to speak without shame, fear or prejudice. I try, to the best of my capabilities, to create for patients an atmosphere where they may put into words experiences that have hitherto remained unspoken. Through lifting the l barriers to speech, symptoms will be lifted in the course of the analytic work.

I've been a psychotherapist for the past 13 years and specialize in working with individuals and couples. My practice is trauma-informed, collaborative, anti-oppressive, multicultural, multiracial, multiethnic, and spans sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status and religious affiliation. My perspective is psychoanalytic but we are all different so I do not limit my approach. I am also trained in CBT and EFT. I am warm, empathetic, nonjudgemental and hope to work with you to create movement in your life. My areas of expertise include depression and other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, addiction, trauma.

The therapeutic relationship is central to the process of therapy. As an experienced therapist, I engage with clients to create a comfortable and safe environment in which to explore current life challenges, identify their needs and fears, work through unresolved trauma and grief, and deepen their understanding and compassion for themselves and others.

We believe in our clients capacities to evolve and transcend their challenges. Our mandate is to partner with our clients to help them become the best possible versions of themselves where they are more fully engaged with their lives, less burdened by emotional suffering and troubled relationships while actively realizing their potential.

If you find yourself in pain, depressed, anxious, grieving a loss, or going through a life transition, you might be feeling confused and overwhelmed. Often our thoughts and feelings can get tangled with our expectations leaving us unsure about how to move forward. In our sessions together we will explore what is working for you and what parts of your self are being challenged by the new circumstances. By developing greater self-awareness and practicing self-acceptance, you will begin to discover new ways to grow and strengthen as a person. When you know yourself well you can intercept unhealthy patterns of living as they emerge.

I offer psychoanalytic psychotherapy which recognizes the existence of an unconscious mind that influences how we behave, think, and feel. Together we pay attention to what matters to you. Therapy is a conversation, but it is a very unique kind of conversation. Much of this conversation involves deep listening on my part. I also help you stay with your experience in order that the possible meanings of such things as painful emotional and relational patterns, dreams, physical symptoms, and fantasies can emerge.

You are not alone in this journey. I am accepting new clients and I am here to support you. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, I can help you learn to cope better and understand your own mind. Working together, you and I will look at how your early hidden and unconscious memories have affected your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships in adulthood. I have many years of experience helping others, and I can help you too. I am comfortable with people who are neuro-diverse and have symptoms of ADHD or autism. I have worked with teens, adults, and seniors. I offer a safe and non-judgmental place to explore deep issues.

Are you struggling with Loss? Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Neonatal death? Infertility? Are you pregnant after loss? I offer a compassionate and sensitive space for you to freely express your sadness, despair and rage at the 'unfairness' of it all and will provide you with support and insight as you try to rebuild your life after a devastating loss. Are you adopted and considering Reunion? Are you in a Blended Family needing support? I am available ONLINE by Zoom anywhere English is spoken. Early morning, evening and weekend appointments available as needed. See website for more information. Sliding scale re fees.

Clients who come to me have relationship issues, anxiety, depression, substance abuse problems, body image issues, grief and loss, stress at work etc. More often than not there is alienation and loneliness which contributes to the problems they have and make it worse. In case the problem remain unaddressed it would generate helplessnesses and confusion.Therapy which I offer helps in emotional and cognitive clarity and support and receptivity assist them to reflect and address the issues.

Emphatic listening to help you delve deeply into your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Overcome emotional suffering through self exploration and towards inner harmony. The experience of inner disruption or disturbance, emptiness or disquietude, is familiar to almost all individuals seeking psychotherapy. Yet, the search for meaning and transcendence in such suffering allows the patient to attain a harmonious, wholesome existence. The psychoanalytical approach will allow you to discover the origins and meaning of suffering in order to build, re-establish, and reinforce the balance of being-in-the-world.

Feeling more sad, or anxious than your usual? Suffering due to a loss? Dealing with an aftermath of trauma you experienced long time ago, or recently? Going through your relationship/marriage crisis? Struggling with your self-esteem? Struggling with your own, or that of your close one's LGBTQ - related issues? Going through a stressful immigration process? Affected by the COVID19 pandemic, HIV/AIDS, or other chronic illness? Dealing with issues related to separation from biological family and, or with adoption experience? Stressed by your academic / work performance? Finding yourself in a life transition?

Life can seem truly overwhelming at times, especially in our day and age when global concerns may compound our more personal stressors. Many people have carried the weight of distressing, sometimes traumatic, events with them throughout life, only to find one day that this weight has become crushing. Even those who have gone through life with relative ease may suddenly feel overwhelmed by difficult situations, such as physical or mental illness, the death of a loved one, relationship or parenting problems, divorce or other life transitions.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist, Psychoanalyst and a Registered Nurse with a Certificate in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. I instruct two courses at Tyndale Seminary (Psychopathology and Addictions), and teach Mental Health First Aid (both, Basic, and for Adults who interact with Youth). I offer psychoanalytic psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families and psychoanalysis for individuals.